Looking for small/lighter 5th wheel suggestions

**KyDan** · 07-07-2012, 07:59 AM

We're looking for brand and model suggestions for our next trailer.
Want a 5th wheel but it WILL be on the smaller end of the spectrum.
Really.
We drive economy cars and have always has smaller trailers.
We're not considering much over 30 feet long and want to stay under
10,000 fully loaded. The further under 10k the better.

Also it's just the 2 of us. Bunkhouses need not apply.
Almost all have sofa beds for the occasional grand kid.

If you have a 30 ish long 5er with maybe one slide in the main cabin
and possibly a small slide/closet in the bedroom we want to hear
about it.
If you give me brands and model numbers it will help me find online floor
plans and other specs.

Thanks so much!

OldCoot · 07-07-2012, 08:32 AM

Flagstaff 8528RKWS is 30'-4", rear kitchen, one livingroom dining slide, wardrobe slide in bedroom. 1090# pin wt.

micalo · 07-07-2012, 09:02 AM

Flagstaff 8524 RLS 26' long, slide out for table and 4 chairs.
Sofa bed in the back at entry. We like this set-up very much as we are also only 2

Oakman · 07-07-2012, 09:06 AM

The Coachmen Chaparral Lite model 255 RLS and the Salem/Wildwood Heritage Glen model 246 RLBS would suit your wants.

Be sure to look hard at the quality of construction on any lightweight fifth you consider buying.

Great Horned Owl · 07-07-2012, 09:20 AM

Palomino Puma has two that are quite, small and very reasonably priced.
Length Dry wgt. GVWR
253-FBS 27' 6910 11,186
230-FBS 24'5" 5770 8,107

I will be taking delivery of a 253-FBS this afternoon.

Joel

**KyDan** · 07-07-2012, 09:33 AM

Keep 'em coming.
I'm taking notes and clicking to look see.

Frustration level is rising-- both the Rockwood and the Puma don't give
interior photos on some models. Only one interior photo on the Puma and a couple of
the Rockwood ultra lites had no interior photos!

What's up with that??
Factory websites showing floor plans but no photos?
Don't they understand the internet?

Hellooooo you RV factory website managers-- where are the pictures??

**KyDan** · 07-07-2012, 09:36 AM

My wish list is pretty long since we've been RVing for nearly 10 years.

One pretty firm item is a ceiling fan/vent over the bed.
We occasionally dry camp and a bedroom ceiling vent is a must!

Floor plans don't show any. I assume at least some have them but how
can you tell??

bott8961 · 07-07-2012, 09:52 AM

Scamp 19 ft and 2000 lbs plus.

micalo · 07-07-2012, 10:07 AM

Here's a description of mine.
2009 8524RLS, rear living with entry, slide for table and 4 chairs, ceiling fan in kitchen with lights, 2 wardrobes in bedroom, plus one next to toilet cabinet
max air in kitchen living room, plenty of opening window, night day blinds, full size shower with ceiling dome for light, max air in front bedroom, little window in toilet cabinet that opens plus ceiling fan that opens.
If you google this model you will find some for sale and with pictures. Thats how i found mine

Great Horned Owl · 07-07-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

Keep 'em coming.
I'm taking notes and clicking to look see.

Frustration level is rising-- both the Rockwood and the Puma don't give
interior photos on some models. Only one interior photo on the Puma and a couple of
the Rockwood ultra lites had no interior photos!

What's up with that??
Factory websites showing floor plans but no photos?
Don't they understand the internet?

Hellooooo you RV factory website managers-- where are the pictures??

Many of the dealers have extensive sets of interior photos on their web sites. With a little effort, you can usually also find videos such as

Palomino Puma 253FBS Fifth Wheels - YouTube

Joel

Herms1960 · 07-07-2012, 10:29 AM

I have the Rockwood 8280WS. We love the layout. When we ordered it last August, I could not find a dealer that had my model to purchase off the lot. I did my shopping and comparing by doing a search by the model numbers on the internet. I found great pictures of all the features on the sites that had the same trailer listed for sale. I found the brochure was not helpful in getting a true picture of the trailer's set up.

dretired · 07-07-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

We're looking for brand and model suggestions for our next trailer.
Want a 5th wheel but it WILL be on the smaller end of the spectrum.
Really.
We drive economy cars and have always has smaller trailers.
We're not considering much over 30 feet long and want to stay under
10,000 fully loaded. The further under 10k the better.

Also it's just the 2 of us. Bunkhouses need not apply.
Almost all have sofa beds for the occasional grand kid.

If you have a 30 ish long 5er with maybe one slide in the main cabin
and possibly a small slide/closet in the bedroom we want to hear
about it.
If you give me brands and model numbers it will help me find online floor
plans and other specs.

Thanks so much!

try the Wanarv website...they are in shipshawana,ind..they are very close to the factories..and you can camp and try out your rig before heading home.. call them..good luck !!

**KyDan** · 07-07-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Horned Owl

Many of the dealers have extensive sets of interior photos on their web sites. With a little effort, you can usually also find videos
Joel

Of course you are right. We are just beginning to search. Even tho I'm a
seasoned internet shopper and use google extensively, it's still over whelming
to try to thin the herd of possibilities. Some are just not in the running due
to size or price or features while others are "close but no cigar".

All suggestions are appreciated and I'm looking at them all as fast as I can.
It's HOT here today. They say we might break the all time record for the
hottest day ever.
Yesterday we broke the old record for that date by 6 degrees

So I'm thanking my lucky stars for good AC and sitting inside looking
at trailers.
My heart goes out to those who are working outside or inside without
benefit of AC today.
Also prayers go out to those with no power!! Yikes!

Dave_Monica · 07-07-2012, 11:31 AM

When you're looking, determine where the storage areas are on the camper to be able to anticipate what the loaded pin weight might be. Rear kitchen layouts in particular are good as the weight you add in the basement is offset by the weight added in the kitchen. Ours was 15% pinweight unloaded or loaded.

As I've already said, your TV's payload will be limited...I'd guess that any pinweight over 1300 lbs will exceed the truck's RAWR.

Dave

FWIW, I checked the 2004 Trailer Life towing guides for your Silverado. It's 5th wheel towing limit is 7100 lbs (3.42 axle ratio) or 8100 lbs (3.73).

**KyDan** · 07-07-2012, 12:59 PM

Dave said--
FWIW, I checked the 2004 Trailer Life towing guides for your Silverado. It's 5th wheel towing limit is 7100 lbs (3.42 axle ratio) or 8100 lbs (3.73).

I have the 3.73.
I'm not real worried about RAWR because I have air bags.
Don't everyone jump on me!
Probably won't even try to use my current truck for a new 5th wheel.

But it's looking more and more like there is a F250, or a Chevy 2500 in
my future.
I'm really gonna miss this truck.

Problem is it's a cream puff and looks brand new and has only 44000 miles
but trade in is down around $10,000 or less.
It breaks your heart to see the mark down on stuff after a few years.
Our trailer sold new for $18,000.
4 years later dealers won't give us much over $8,000 or $9,000 max
trade in.

This is why we're going to be real careful. Can't afford to take the mark down
more than one more time.

The next one is the last one.

I've only said that 3 times already

Truth is, we're not done buying trailers till my wife says we are.......

OldCoot · 07-07-2012, 01:18 PM

Get a Mack, Peterbilt or Kenworth and most folks will leave you alone about the weight issues altho some might suggest an Abrams A1 (hey, it's got a built in swivel too).

dretired · 07-07-2012, 01:22 PM

Take the time and sell your rv and truck.. on your own...CLEAN ..SHINE..and detail both as much as possible..as crazy as it sounds even put the stuff on the rv tires to make them look better..I have sold different vehicles in the last 30 years and have always got $2,000 to $3,000 more than what any dealer would offer.. My 2010 26 ft Puma 26rlss TT sold in my driveway to a couple that lives 2 miles from me in 3 days ( i made $1500 more than what the dealer offered on a trade and didnt have to tow it 250 miles to their dealership)..and use a digital camera and put your things on craigslist ...for free !! Good luck !!

Dave_Monica · 07-07-2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Get a Mack, Peterbilt or Kenworth and most folks will leave you alone about the weight issues altho some might suggest an Abrams A1.

I know everyones got a different idea on what constitutes a 'safe' towing combination.

Myself I wouldn't recommend any set-up where every towing related limit on the tow vehicle is being exceeded.

Work out the numbers and make your own informed decision.

Dave

dj3spots · 07-09-2012, 09:05 PM

Wish I could get my DH to say that. I want another, slightly larger, trailer and he won't buy me one. 😂

deerslayer · 07-10-2012, 06:57 AM

Take a look at the Coachman Chaparall Open Trail series, we just purchased the 26rls model this year and love it! has the rear living with two rockers, one super slide, front bedroom with the open shower. Very light weight and well made. We had a few small issues but now that we have them worked out we love the rig!
Chaparral Open Trail - Coachmen RV

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